Owlcat Games, the studio behind Pathfinder: Kingmaker and more recently Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, just dropped a major surprise at Warhammer Skulls 2025: Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy. This new turn-based tactical RPG dives even deeper into the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40K, promising narrative depth, ruthless combat, and the sort of grim tone fans expect from Games Workshop’s flagship sci-fi setting.

From Rogue Trader to Dark Heresy — Owlcat’s Warhammer Ambitions Expand

If you were among the fans who enjoyed Owlcat’s Rogue Trader (which released late last year), you already know they’ve mastered blending party-based cRPG mechanics with rich storytelling. Dark Heresy takes that formula and thrusts it into the shoes of an Inquisition acolyte tasked with hunting heretics and rooting out corruption within the Imperium. The setting? The Calixis Sector during the Noctis Aeterna, a galaxy-wide crisis following the fall of Cadia — yes, the stakes are that grim.

The announcement trailer showcased a grim lineup of companions, including a Catachan Guardsman, Kroot mercenary, and hinting at Ogryn and Eldar allies, promising a diverse party dynamic. This isn’t just another Warhammer game with guns and pew pew; it’s steeped in narrative choice, investigative gameplay, and turn-based tactical combat.

Gameplay and Narrative — Dark Heresy’s Core Appeal

Owlcat’s RPGs have always prioritized player choice and consequence, and Dark Heresy looks to continue that tradition. The turn-based combat seems strategic, with a focus on squad composition, tactical positioning, and exploiting enemy weaknesses — exactly what fans of tactical RPGs crave.

Narratively, this is Warhammer 40K at its most brutal and complex. You’re not playing a heroic Space Marine here; you’re an Inquisition acolyte, walking a razor’s edge between fanaticism and justice, trying to uncover dark secrets without becoming a heretic yourself. The promise of mystery surrounding the “Tyrant Star” storyline amps up the intrigue.

Platforms and Release

Dark Heresy is officially coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic, GOG). Owlcat hasn’t dropped a release date yet, but the game is available for wishlist and pre-order. Collector’s editions and other goodies are already drawing the attention of Warhammer diehards.

What This Means for Warhammer 40K Fans

The Warhammer 40K video game landscape is crowded, but Dark Heresy stands out by focusing on storytelling, role-playing, and tactical combat over the usual first-person shooters or strategy games. For players craving deep lore immersion combined with turn-based squad tactics, this could be the next must-play.

That said, Owlcat has set a high bar with Rogue Trader, which had some rough edges on launch. The studio will need to polish Dark Heresy carefully to avoid alienating the hardcore Warhammer community — especially since this setting demands authenticity and depth.

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Owlcat Games is betting big on the Warhammer universe with Dark Heresy, and early signs suggest they might just deliver a truly immersive, narrative-driven tactical RPG that’s worthy of the Inquisition’s scrutiny. Keep an eye on this one as it develops; it could be a sleeper hit in 2025 or 2026.